Peru is famous for many things; the birthplace of Paddington Bear, the adventures of Indiana Jones, and, stepping out of the world of fiction for a moment, the home of the Incas. It’s also a vast landscape of incredible things to see and do all steeped in a rich and vibrant culture. You may have noticed Peru on our adventure travel list, so if you are planning on visiting this incredible country, there are a few things we think you should add to your bucket list. Here are just some of them.

1. Explore ancient ruins.

We can’t talk about Peru without mentioning Machu Picchu, but you should click here to find out how you can safely explore the ancient Incan ruins without getting lost. It’s a long walk, but there are alternatives, such as riding on the back of a horse. Who knows, you may actually stumble across long lost riches!

2. Paddle across the Amazon.

If wildlife is your thing, there is no better place to visit than the Amazon itself. Jaguars and ocelots roam the jungle, and all manner of sea life lurk below the water, piranha included. Still, provided you don’t dip your feet into the water, you will be able to soak in the atmosphere of the sights and sounds of the Amazon as you take a riverboat journey.

3. Enjoy a Nibble.

Part of travelling is getting to enjoy the delicacies on offer. Admittedly, some of the culinary delights are for the brave only – roasted guinea pig anyone? – but there are other tasty dishes on offer which don’t involve cooked up portions of the furry pets you have at home.

4. Fly with the condors.

Okay, so you won’t actually fly, but if you traverse up to the Cruz del Condor viewpoint atop the Colca canyon, you will find an excellent spot to watch these magnificent birds glide and dive as they fly down to meet you before heading back into the clouds. Of course, you could also choose this spot to hang-glide and soar like a condor yourself, flying over one of the world’s deepest canyons.

5. Buggy over the sand dunes.

Should you head to the oasis of Huacachina, you will find a desert paradise which is often populated by local thrill seekers. Sand buggying and sandboarding are two of the popular activities for those who want to pump adrenaline, but you can simply walk, or relax on the tip of a sand dune, and catch the site of one of the beautiful sunsets at the day’s close.

6. Get thee to a nunnery.

Visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, which is a labyrinthine nunnery first built in 1579. There are still nuns around today, so you need to be respectful, but there is much to explore within the brightly colored cloisters of this religious sanctuary. Be careful: it is possible to get lost, so be sure to follow the signs as you walk around the 20,000 square meters of the monastery grounds.

Finally

We don’t have the room to mention every sight in Peru, but there are plenty of tour guides and resources online to help you. At the very least, know this. We have only given you a taste of the country, but the beautiful landscapes alone are reason enough to visit. Be sure to send us a postcard.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!